TRAVEL, WORK, YOUTUBE, STUDY, FILMS, CATS, ANYTHING.
While there's no Q&A video this month on the Abroad in Japan channel, I'm still holding one here on Patreon next week answering your questions.
With that in mind folks, submit your questions in the comment section of this post and it'll hopefully featured in next w...
It's not easy being stuck in a tiny retro Japanese house with salted egg flavour crisps.
So I'll admit, I never thought I'd still be doing this after 8 years and 200 videos, given my shocking attention span and given how quickly I get bored of doing the same thing in general.
But the secret that's kept me motivated and enthusiastic after ...
For me, a busy week is making one video.
Making two videos in a week is simply outrageous.
And three videos in a week is nothing short of treason. Treason to my sanity.
But somehow this week, fate aligned three projects I'd been working on to all go into production in the space of 7 days. (Well, fate and poor ...
2020-06-12 16:18:54 +0000 UTC View Post
During these admittedly not so great times, Natsuki’s upbeat attitude and unrelenting positivity have been sorely missed; both as a friend and a viewer.
Hell, even I enjoy watching Natsuki on screen as much as anyone.
Videos featuring him are often my favourite to edit given their sheer unpredictable nature.
So it felt great to catch up with him this week for ...
2020-06-05 16:08:04 +0000 UTC View Post
There's over 50+ exclusive videos right here on the Abroad in Japan Patreon; from blooper reels and outtakes, to videos chilling out with Natsuki and Ryotaro, to creepy stories - like the time someone stole my video by quite literally re-enacting it word for word(?!?)
However, as these videos are tucked away on the “Posts” page, there’s a good chance you may have mi...
2020-05-29 18:20:04 +0000 UTC View Post
Hey guys,
So after last weekend's slightly chaotic - albeit entertaining - live show on the second channel( https://youtu.be/pwTGVTiHIUI ), I'm looking forward to going back to doing a more intimate Patreon Live Show where I can actually have the chance to chat with you more one-on-one....
Today after almost 2 months, Japan’s emergency lockdown finally came to an end in Tokyo as the country begins to re-open.
It doesn’t mean everything will be back to normal overnight or anytime soon; restaurants close earlier, many shops require face-masks, public transport is running at a reduced service and many businesses are still encouraging workers to st...
2020-05-25 16:26:05 +0000 UTC View Post
So before I get into Film Friday folks, I just wanted to let you know that there’ll be a live show on the Abroad Perspective channel tomorrow!
This year I've successfully gotten over my fear of doing public live shows once and for all, thanks to the Sapporo trip and my bizarre 30th birthday. And so this weekend, I thought I’d put myself on the sp...
Oh boy.
It was 5am when I uploaded yesterday's video, so today's been something of a write-off.
No amount of coffee could resurrect me this afternoon.
Thanks to everyone that sent in their Questions for yesterday's Abroad in Japan video - we've got a Patreon exclusive Q&A video out later this week, so if you didn't have your question answered...
Last week on Film Friday, I revealed one of my favourite documentaries set in Japan; a BBC documentary called “A Story of Love and Hate” featuring the unfortunate exploits of Naoki, an impoverished postman in Yamagata city - who I had the good fortune of meeting in person several years ago.
This week, I thought I’d keep on the theme of Japanese films and ...
2020-05-15 13:46:52 +0000 UTC View Post
A heartwarming, family-friendly clip from this week's upcoming Abroad in Japan video, as I respond to a comment from the so called "Real Chris Broad".
► Watch: https://youtu.be/Nop3XFgu3EY
Thanks to everyone who sent in their questions for May's Ask Abroad Q&A!
(And for those I couldn't...
So I've been thinking about doing this for a while now and every time I decide it’s time to start this weekly series, I realise it’s not Friday and end up postponing it and then forgetting about it (BECAUSE IT HAS TO BE FRIDAY).
And that is, every Friday from now until forever I’d like to recommend you a Japan related film or documentary, that I’ve watc...
2020-05-08 16:28:45 +0000 UTC View Post
I won't lie, April was a peculiar month.
Despite spending it stuck indoors rocking backwards and forward, it was still surprisingly action-packed, from Bullet trains and 30th Birthday live streams, to the horrors of ET and the equal horror of Ryotaro's new channel, topped off with the purchase of a car - after 4 years of being car-less.
Not to menti...
TOMORROW
An all new video on Engrish; when Japanese-English marketing goes wrong.
(As seen in the above screenshot of my new "tattoo". Well done if you can read it).
THE WEEKEND
An all new Patreon vlog showing the new car and discussing why I bought it and what we'll do with it this year.
NOW
Awesome n...
Hey guys,
So it's been a surreal month of Bullet trains, ET, Ryotaro's New Channel, finally buying a car and a Big 30th Birthday Live Show.
Quite honestly, April hasn't gone exactly as I'd planned - nor has turning 30 - but given the circumstances it's still been a great month for the Abroad in Japan channel and Podcast.
And with one more video this...
Many thanks to everyone who joined today's ridiculous live show! It was quite the surreal 30th birthday; holding it on Youtube with a few thousands folks around the world joining in certainly turned what was looking like a fairly bleak evening into a really fun birthday. I was delighted that even though Natsuki couldn't make it in person, his presence was still the highlight of the star...
2020-04-21 16:44:05 +0000 UTC View Post
So today started with a bang - quite literally.
I nearly had a heart attack when I was awoken at 6am by my phone sounding off the incredibly loud earthquake alarm; it's honestly the most horrific noise in the world.
- Seriously, this is what it sounds like: https://youtu.be/b5fFXa_xh4U
Here’s all the amazing stuff packed into this post!
—————————...
2020-04-18 17:06:13 +0000 UTC View Post
Story time.
---------------------------------------------
If you haven't already seen the latest Bullet Train episode check it out first.
► Watch: https://youtu.be/icwENiwT1zI
-----------...
Which Abroad in Japan video gets the most hate mail? What is Japanese humour REALLY like? Where do I want to visit the most in the US? Why is it so hard to make friends in Japan? And what am I having for lunch?
These are just some of the questions answered in today’s exclusive Patreon episode!
► Watch: 2020-04-07 16:36:36 +0000 UTC View Post
Hey guys,
So we've got a new video out on Abroad in Japan tomorrow - the first Ask Abroad Q&A video in 2-3 years, answering questions sent in by viewers.
I spent an entire day - coffee(s) in hand - going through over 2,000 questions and I was able to whittle them down to 20 of the best.
However, there's still room for 2-3 more questions and I th...
Hey guys,
So by now you’ll have probably heard the 2020 Tokyo Olympics have been postponed to 2021 (though they plan to keep the ‘2020’ title). Let’s face it, at this point I don’t think any of us are surprised - or even particularly care - given how every country in the developed world is scrambling to tackle the crisis. I’m far more worried about fri...
2020-03-25 06:41:50 +0000 UTC View Post
Hey folks!
So it’s that exciting time of month where I have an excuse to get out of bed at 7am - yes, it’s time for Ask Abroad live, this Sunday 22nd March at 07:30am Japan time.
(For folks in Europe and the US this’ll mean Saturday afternoon/evening).
We certainly have no shortage of things to discuss this month; above all I'm keen to h...
Hey guys,
I’d like to say “hope you had a great week” but somehow I suspect few of you have, given the ongoing situation.
As of today Japan has announced that from March 21st to the end of April, pretty much all European tourists won’t be able to visit the country.
2020-03-20 02:56:49 +0000 UTC
View Post
Hey folks,
I hope you’ve all had a great week so far!
So this week marked the 9 year anniversary of the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami - although unfortunately most of the commemorative events were either cancelled or buried under a sea of coronavirus stories.
It made the new documentary we released on Abroad in Japan this week feel all ...
2020-03-14 04:18:30 +0000 UTC View Post
It’s been a weird few days.
As the world looks like it’s falling apart in headlines worldwide, I spent a few days wandering through an apocalyptic landscape while producing a documentary for next week.
It was all starting to get a bit much, until I sat down with Ichiyo Kanno - Japan’s most upbeat, positive woman - at her inn on th...
2020-03-06 15:38:39 +0000 UTC View Post
So I planned to release the long awaited Sapporo Snow festival video on Abroad Perspective this weekend, when on Friday I witnessed the bizarre scene of panic buying at my local supermarket. Panic buying for toilet paper.
It was quite a surreal situation as I’ve never witnessed panic buying before, especially not for something quite as random as toilet roll. Although to...
2020-03-01 07:26:25 +0000 UTC View Post
I've waited along time for this day to arrive.
Today rounds off what's been a spectacular month and a great start to 2020 so far.
When the Sapporo Snow Festival video is released we'll have had five new videos this month, including our first ever public live show in Sapporo's Odori Park - which was a success, the Abroad Perspective channel has passed 100k subscribe...
2020-02-27 10:41:16 +0000 UTC View Post
Hey folks,
So this Saturday morning (29th) at 07:30 Japan time, I shall awaken from my coffin, grab a coffee and sit down for an hour to answer ALL your questions, regale my stories and experiences from what's been a hectic (and virus-filled) month this February, and peer forth into what March promises to bring.
Following on from the popularity of the mornin...
So here it is by popular vote folks, narrowly beating out the "hilarious third option".
The next episode in the Patreon Exclusive series.
How to Find Your Motivation in the Long Term
► Watch:https://youtu.be/AP_9AXDsOO0
It's something of a reflective stor...